Cushioning and impact absorptive means for footwear operative component

Abstract

This invention pertains to the encapsulation of a cellular insert, formed of various woven cellular components, or fabricated to a grooved design formed of a series of linearly woven strands, each of which presents various voids or cavities within their formed structure, and then foamed in place within a polymer formed sock liner or insole for use within footwear, and particularly an athletic shoe, including the sole of a walking or other shoe. The cellular insert may be formed of a series of woven or wound cellular shaped components, having their voids therein, and which may be arranged intermediate a pair of liners, which form the upper and lower liners for the formed insert, or arranged upon a singular liner, or having the liner woven through its midpoint, in order to provide for its rather proper location within the structure of the polymer formed sole or insole. In addition, the cellular insert, as previously explained, may be formed of a series of longitudinally and crosswise interwoven strands of linear material, which form various symetrically shaped channels or grooves, this cellular insert also being embedded within a foam formed sock liner, for use internally within an athletic or other shoe for comforting the wearer of the shoe and its incorporated liner as in usage during participation within a variety of sporting events, such as football, basketball, jogging, court playing, or even walking, or other such endeavors.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A cushioning and impact absorptive means for application within footwear of the type having a shoe upper affixed to a sole formed at least partially of a polymer-like material, comprising, a shoe upper, and a shoe sole, said upper secured to said sole, means operatively associated with the shoe sole to provide cushioning for the said footwear during its application, said means also being formed of a polymer-like material, a cellular insert, said cellular insert being applied within the polymer-like material formed associated with the said shoe sole, said cellular insert comprising upper and lower layers of woven polymer material, and also comprising a series of sinusoidally shaped cellular components formed of woven polymer-like material and arranged intermediate and connecting to said layers of said polymer material, said cellular components formed having upper, lower, and side surfaces, said layers of polymer material connecting with the upper and lower surfaces of the said cellular components, said cellular components having cavities generally formed therethrough, with said formed cavities being arranged intermediate the said upper and lower layers of the cellular insert, the series of cellular components provided therein being secured together along their contiguous side surfaces, said cellular insert being arranged substantially aligned within the said footwear means during shoe usage, said cellular insert as formed of woven polymer material having a hardness greater than the polymer-like material forming the said shoe sole, whereby the cellular insert formed within the sole tending to effect the absorption of any forces of impact, while furnishing conservation of energy for the user of the footwear during application. 
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said means operatively associated with the footwear sole comprising an insole means. 
     
     
       3. The invention of claim 2 and wherein said insole means comprising a sock liner. 
     
     
       4. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said cellular insert being embedded within the formed footwear sole. 
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said woven cellular insert being arranged substantially transversely of the formed shoe sole. 
     
     
       6. The invention of claim 5 and wherein said cellular insert being provided substantially along the length of the entire footwear. 
     
     
       7. The invention of claim 6 and wherein said footwear comprising an athletic shoe. 
     
     
       8. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said cellular insert comprising a singular layer of cellular components. 
     
     
       9. The invention of claim 8 and wherein said cavities of the cellular components being substantially filled with the polymer-like material forming the shoe means. 
     
     
       10. The invention of claim 8 and wherein said cavities of the cellular components being void of any of the polymer-like material forming the sheet means. 
     
     
       11. The invention of claims 1 and wherein said cellular insert applied within the polymer-like material being formed of a series of interwoven strands of woven polymer material, said woven polymer material forming alternate rows of apices with grooves being arranged intermediately thereof, with said cellular insert being enclosed within the polymer-like material forming the shoe means operatively associated with its sole intending to effect absorption of any forces and to achieve conservation of energy during application of the footwear during usage. 
     
     
       12. The invention of claim 11 and wherein said woven coils being arranged substantially transversely of the formed shoe means. 
     
     
       13. The invention of claim 12 and wherein said shoe comprising an athletic shoe. 
     
     
       14. The invention of claim 13 and wherein the hardness of the woven cellular components being greater than the hardness of the polymer-like material forming the shoe means. 
     
     
       15. The invention of claim 14 and wherein said apices and grooves being substantially filed with the polymer-like material forming the shoe means. 
     
     
       16. The invention of claim 15 and wherein said cellular insert extending over the length of the footwear. 
     
     
       17. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said upper layer of the woven polymer material comprising strands of material, and which is woven to the upper apexes of the cellular components arranged therein. 
     
     
       18. A cushioning and impact absorptive means for application within a footwear of the type having a shoe upper affixed to a sole formed at least partially of a polymer-like material, comprising a shoe upper, and a shoe sole, said upper secured to said sole, means operatively associated with the shoe sole to provide cushioning for the said footwear during its application, said means also being formed of a polymer-like material, said means comprising a cellular insert applied within the said polymer-like material operatively associated with the sole, said cellular insert comprising at least one layer of woven polymer material and a sinusoidally shaped cellular member arranged intermediate and connecting with said layer to form said means operatively associated with the sole, said layer of woven polymer material comprising an intermediate layer of woven material and being arranged woven approximately through the midpoint of the sinusoidally shaped cellular insert, whereby the cellular insert formed within the sole operative means tending to effect absorption of any forces of impact encountered by the footwear during usage, while adding resiliency and recoil for achieving energy conservation during its shoe application.